Two years ago, Jefferson Adcock started all 11 games at quarterback for the Samford Bulldogs. The sophomore threw for 2,338 yards -- second best in yards per game in the Ohio Valley Conference.

But his first year as a starter wasn't everything he wanted it to be, personally or for the team. Despite throwing for 18 touchdowns, Adcock was victimized for 16 interceptions as the Bulldogs struggled to a 5-6 finish and a 4-4 league mark.

News staff photographer Michelle WilliamsPat Sullivan

High expectations for his junior year collapsed in 2006. The Bulldogs won just three times in 11 games and went 1-7 in the OVC.

Adcock found himself sharing time in Bill Gray's shotgun offense with not one, but two others. The coaching staff asked all three to be ready to start each week, sometimes not alerting the starter until just before game time.

Three quarterbacks couldn't match what one did the year before. Adcock threw for just 915 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Adcock said his psyche suffered as the losses mounted.

"It definitely affected me going into some of the games not knowing if I was starting until right before game time," he said. "...Sometimes I was disappointed when I didn't."

Blaming musical quarterbacks for Samford's struggles is too simple. The Bulldogs averaged giving up one TD a game more than Samford scored and lost three games by a touchdown or less. Injuries to a few key players knocked the offense off-kilter and none of the QBs could throw the ball and catch it too.

Gray and his staff were fired and Pat Sullivan was brought on board from UAB. Through spring practice and just a few days of fall camp, Adcock earned the nod as the starter.

Adcock, a fifth-year senior from Brentwood, Tenn., said the decision has made his job easier. "It will be easier this year, for sure, coming in knowing it's all right if I make one mistake," he said. "That was tough for me last year. If I made a mistake, I came out."

Sullivan, of course, was a Heisman Trophy winner as a quarterback at Auburn.

He coached Jeff Burger, Reggie Slack and Stan White into the top 10 of Auburn's passing record book and helped Darrell Hackney to the top of UAB's all-time passing list.

What can that mean for Adcock?

"He's always coaching you on every little thing. When you do well, he congratulates you and lets you know."

Sullivan said Adcock has shown the leadership skills necessary for a quarterback.

"Jefferson has done a really good job," he said. "By naming him the guy, his leadership has been very good. His work ethic is good. He's still learning some of the things we're doing.

"He has to work on his consistency. He'll go out there and have 10 plays where you couldn't do it any better, then he'll have a bonehead play. I have fussed at Jefferson probably harder than anybody on this football team."

While the coaches look forward, Adcock said it's hard to forget.

"It's tough to put a season like that behind you," he said. "It's just like throwing an interception as a quarterback. You just have to forget about that and go on to the next play ... You've got to keep your mental aspect positive. Everyone's looking at you. If you're hanging your head, then they are going to hang their head."